See Drake's Best Moments (and Gifs!) on Degrassi

Before he was one of the most critically acclaimed musicians of his generation, Drake played Jimmy Brooks on the Canadian teen drama Degrassi: The Next Generation for eight years. If you’re only accustomed to seeing him as a cool rapper, get ready to have your world view shifted significantly.

Look at little cutie Jimmy in the first season! Here he is saying "shut up," as seventh graders often do.

Advertisement

Tumblr

He still had that Drake swag, though.

Tumblr

And he kept his friends in line with fantastic takedowns.

Advertisement

Tumblr

Despite this hairline, he was pretty good with the ladies.

Tumblr

The show did a Breakfast Club homage, like every teen drama should.

Tumblr

Jimmy didn't love getting a Saturday detention, however.

Tumblr

The character was known for being just a sweet, good guy who was everybody's pal.

Tumblr

He was the most outright defender of Marco, the first kid to come out of the closet on the show.

Tumblr

The show didn't hold a whole lot of dramatic tension for Jimmy, who was also a trust-fund kid who usually had a girlfriend, Ashley. That is, until bullied kid Rick got the Carrie treatment, and decided to retaliate.

Tumblr

Other characters incorrectly gave Rick the idea that Jimmy was behind the bullying. So he shot him in the back.

Tumblr

Uh oh, Jimmy Brooks. He survived the shooting but ended up paralyzed from the waist down. He stayed in a wheelchair for the remainder of the series.

Tumblr

It was very sad news for Jimmy and his love life, but on the bright side...

Tumblr

It allowed Drake to really show off his acting chops.

Tumblr

Who knew he was such a gifted rapper and musician?!

Tumblr

Anyway, his solid girlfriend Hazel stuck with him during the shooting and long afterwards.

Tumblr

Eventually Jimmy graduated high school.

Tumblr

Jimmy had loads of pipe dreams on the show, including a music career (obviously Drake had to work some rapping into the show somehow!), and using his wealth to open a t-shirt store with his BFF.

Tumblr

He had an on-again, off-again relationship with first love Ashley for his entire eight years on the show, and it ended with one of his most awesome moments ever!